Matthew Townsend has been a barrister for close to 20 years and practises almost exclusively in planning and environmental law, the modification and removal of restrictive covenants and related areas. He has taught in the Trial Practice and Advocacy program at Monash University and lectures in planning and environmental law at the Leo Cussen Institute. Matthew regularly supervises students for legal research and work experience.

In 2000 Matthew was awarded the Public Interest Law Clearing House Pro Bono Award by the Governor of Victoria for his work in environmental litigation. He was Dux of International Environmental Law at Leiden University in Holland in 1992 and was the inaugural winner of the JF Kearney, QC prize in environmental law in 1991.

Matthew maintains Restrictive Covenants in Victoria, a website providing casenotes and resources about the modification and removal of restrictive covenants in Victoria.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk
have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.